In wake of tragedy, Trump calls for unity

A lone gunman said to be distraught over President Donald Trump’s election opened fire on members of a Republican congressional baseball team at a practice field in Alexandria, Va., on Wednesday. Using a rifle to shower the field with bullets the gunman struck four people, including Steve Scalise, the majority whip of the House of Representatives.

Two members of Scalise’s Capitol Police security detail were wounded as they exchanged fire with the gunman in what lawmakers described as several chaotic, terror-filled minutes that turned the baseball practice into an early-morning nightmare.

In the face of another mass shooting incident in the United States, we commend President Trump for his call for unity and his praise of emergency first responders who minimized further casualties. He also didn’t jump to politicize the tragedy as it relates to gun laws in our country. It wasn’t the time nor the place.

“We may have our differences, but we do well, in times like these, to remember that everyone who serves in our nation’s capital is here because, above all, they love our country,” said President Trump.

“We can all agree that we are blessed to be Americans, that our children deserve to grow up in a nation of safety and peace, and that we are strongest when we are unified and when we work together for the common good. Please take a moment today to cherish those you love, and always remember those who serve and keep us safe.”

President Trump’s initial comments were reserved and non-partisan, as they should be when a country looks for assurance following a high-profile shooting incident and act of violence against American citizens — no matter what their political stripes.

Also seizing the moment this week was House Speaker Paul Ryan who on the House floor said, “We are united. We are united in our shock. We are united in our anguish. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us,” drawing a rare bipartisan standing ovation.

Here in Lapeer County, we’re proud of the fact public officials and citizens alike work elbow to elbow for the betterment of our neighbors and strangers. It matters not what political affiliation they hold, as we don’t exhibit the sort of political divide normally common in national politics.

It’s unfortunate it takes a tragedy to bring unity and goodwill to our fellow man, albeit likely in a fleeting moment in modern national politics — so when it occurs it’s worth noting.

Salute to dads on Father’s Day

Today we observe Father’s Day, a day many dads across Lapeer County will be honored with cookouts, cards and ties they may or may not wind up wearing. Most men don’t want it to be a big fuss, but those humble dads who want the honor the least are probably those who deserve it the most.

Today we honor the dads. In many households, a father is his son’s first hero, and his daughter’s first love.

Dad is a provider and a protector. He will screw together cribs, build forts and read the same worn children’s book over and over again. He picks up toys and cleans up messes, and tends to bumps and scrapes. If something is broken, he fixes it (or gives it his best effort). He will drop his work to throw a ball around for a while — then get back to what he was doing and finish the job.

Today some fathers will be treated to breakfast in bed. Even fathers who are apart from their children and do not enjoy this attention should pick up the phone or seek some way to connect with their children.

We salute all the wonderful fathers who have touched the lives of many people in Lapeer County — be it their own kids, somebody else’s kid, family, people they have mentored, people they have coached and our community at large.

Thank you for being great fathers. We appreciate your existence and the impactful and significant role you have played in the lives of your children.

No matter how famous or successful we are, our first identity is that of someone’s son or daughter.

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